Georgia, Tbilisi, June 13 / Trend N.Kirtskhalia
No one must deprive internally displaced persons of the right to return to their homes, President of Georgia Mikheil Saakashvili said at a meeting with the UN Special Rapporteur, expert on the protection of internally displaced persons Chaloka Beyani, Presidential Administration of Georgia reported in its statement on Thursday.
The main topic of the meeting was the protection of the right of internally displaced persons to return to their homes, improve their state and planning of joint activities to address these issues.
The Georgian President also drew attention to the importance of supporting the UN resolution on the refugees' right to return of to their homes. This resolution will be discussed in the UN General Assembly on Thursday.
"Georgia has about 500,000 refugees in its territory who are unable to return to their homes. We have done a lot to provide them with housing, but a lot is still have to be done. However, the main task is to ensure their return to their homes. In connection with this the adoption of the resolution by the UN General Assembly is very important," the president of Georgia said.
According to the President, Georgia hopes for the assistance of international organizations in the issue of the return of refugees to their homes, and this has to happen peacefully.
Large scale military actions were launched in South Ossetia on August 8, 2008. Later, Russian troops occupied Tskhinvali and expelled the Georgian military.
Russia recognized the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia in late August. In response, Tbilisi broke diplomatic relations with Moscow and has called the two unrecognised republics of Abkhazia and South Ossetia occupied territories.